This is a very simple concept but may businesses struggle to consistently achieve it. In our Business Consulting practice we work with many clients who truly value service. What does “truly valuing service” really look like? I was speaking with a Business Associate of mine and he commented that he recently purchased a very high-end truck….

We all have things that we have done and we all have some things left undone. Ask yourself the question:  Why have I started and completed certain goals, actions, or tasks in my life? Now ask the next question: Why have I not yet completed certain goals, actions, or tasks in my life? I remember…

Delivering Great Customer Service Through Social Media If your business isn’t using social media for customer service, you are missing out on crucial opportunities to communicate with your customers, improve their experiences and stand out from your competition. With an estimated 3.2 billion Internet users around the globe and new social media channels surfacing all…

As a business, it is no longer good enough to be considered “good”. Today, to successfully stand out from your competition and win the loyalty of new and existing customers, you must be extraordinary. Remarkable, even. Being successful in business all comes down to how you engage with your customers. And how well your business…

Weekly Planning – Why it Matters What Next Week Looks Like Most companies will pay lip-service to the importance of planning ahead and staying on top of their game, but only the most successful companies make organization and time management habits a key focus of their company culture. The resulting increase in efficiency and productivity…

Drop a Pebble…Chase the Ripples I am at a stage in my life, at 82 years, where it is difficult to remember what was “original” with me, or something I picked up from someone else. I used the phrase, “drop a pebble” way back when I started in my business and sales activities. The words…

It is easy for salespeople to lose hope when the sales pipeline looks bare, especially when hard economic times make every sale seem that much more difficult from open to close. However, effective sales practices are all about creating a solid system and sticking to it, no matter what the general economic climate is like….

Unlike many terms in business jargon that seem to come and go with little lasting impact, business silos are a persistent problem faced by modern businesses for decades now. Many experienced managers and management specialists believe that silos are a natural development as a business grows beyond its unified roots into a more complex departmental…

Year after year and decade after decade, customer service ranks among the most important factors when evaluating business success. In the end all businesses are human endeavors, which means people talking to people. Customers never forget how a business made them feel, for better or for worse, so it is extremely important that the customer…

There is nothing quite as frustrating and disheartening as operating a business during an economic downturn. Your customers are hesitant, your investors are nervous, your suppliers are under pressure, and everyone is uncertain what the future will bring. Trying to maintain business-driving sales in a downturn economy often feels like trying to empty the ocean…

Your customers are the foundation of your business, which is why every day should be customer appreciation day. When your customers feel appreciated, not only are they more likely to choose your business over your competitors, but they’ll also refer your business to their family and friends. Needless to say, showing your customers you appreciate…

X5 President, Mike Mack, had an opportunity to be interviewed by one of the leading Podcasters, in North America. Joel Boggess – ReLaunch Show (#1 podcast on iTunes *(Interview starts at the 7-minute mark of the podcast) Joel refers to Mike as his “Canadian correspondent” as Joel had Mike on this Podcast other times in…

The team at X5 Management has been supporting Stahl Peterbilt (a full service truck/parts & service dealership) to improve their sales and customer service processes and initiatives since 2012. At this time, Stahl Peterbilt had the desire to improve their overall customer service approach to secure and retain customers. The leadership team at Stahl aspired…

When the team at X5 Management provides business consulting services to leaders and executives, we often get asked the same question – what is the secret of success? In truth, there is no magic wand to ensure success. Success is a long, winding road that others aren’t even aware of. Much like an iceberg, others only…

Imagine the level of service you could provide if you knew exactly what your customer was thinking. Not only would you have the tools to solve any problem effortlessly, but you’d also be able to create the tailored experiences that build loyalty, and keep happy customers coming back for more. Unfortunately, none of us are…

In business, entrepreneurs and salespeople are lauded for being busy, taking on a million different tasks at a time, and logging long hours in pursuit of their dreams. While it’s important to be ambitious and work hard on your business, it’s also important to take time off to recharge. Often individuals in sales spend so…

If you think about your day like a bookend, the morning is on one side and the evening is on the other. Many times, you can’t control all the things that happen during the day (between your bookends). Last-minute sales meetings, traffic delays, customer service concerns, family emergencies – they all bring a certain unpredictability…

How well (or not-so-well) your business handles a customer complaint can make or break your success, as well as your company’s reputation. The truth is, even if a customer is legitimately unsatisfied with your product or service, how you handle their complaint could make the difference in whether they continue to be your customer. Unsatisfied…

I grew up on a grain and cattle farm on the Prairies. Coming from a family farm, business and rural community has always been something I am particularly proud of. During my regular visits back, I can’t help but gaze across the land to see the surrounding farm operations. Some seem to be thriving and…

With an estimated 3.2 billion Internet users around the globe and new social media channels surfacing every week, chances are a large number of your customers are communicating on social media. How can you harness the power of the Internet to communicate more effectively with your customers? Here are five practical tips to make the…

Patrons who walk through the door of Edmonton’s Corso 32 are almost inevitably assured of impeccable home-style Italian fare created by owner/chef Daniel Costa and his team. But it’s what’s not on the menu that plays an equal role in the accolades heaped on the Jasper Avenue restaurant, which has won multiple awards since opening nearly six…

If your business isn’t using social media for customer service, you are missing out on crucial opportunities to communicate with your customers, improve their experiences and stand out from your competition. With an estimated 3.2 billion Internet users around the globe and new social media channels surfacing all the time, it’s likely that most of…

One thing I enjoy most about being an entrepreneur in Edmonton is the opportunity to participate in a variety of networking events in and around our provincial capital. I appreciate the opportunity to be “social” with fellow members of business organizations and their guests, such as a great conference about mergers and acquisitions a week…

EDMONTON, AB — Is your business the one everyone’s talking about? Does your company deliver the kind of Remarkable Service that keeps customers coming back – even when the competitor down the street is offering a similar product at a significant price reduction? It’s a tough time to be in business in Alberta. Plunging oil…

In order for a company to put its best foot forward, it must set an example of customer service behaviour from the top. Implementing a positive and fun company culture will instill loyalty, drive, and ambition in all employees and ensure that they work hard for the company that they ‘love’ to work for –…

I am very fortunate to work with many business leaders who celebrate great team members at all levels of their organization. It’s not rocket science to understand and appreciate the strengths and value of each and every individual – from the executives in the corner office to the front of house staff.  It seems simple enough, but too often we may…

During an interview with X5 Management, Bruce Kirkland from Lexus of Edmonton shares his perspective on Customer Service excellence. In this second part of a two-part series, we offer further insights from Bruce about how little things make all the difference at Lexus of Edmonton. You can read Part One here. How do you get that team of people involved and…

The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! Have you ever thought about attempting to measure the return on your customer service investments? Is your organization aware of the lifetime value…

This story is often attributed to Chinese leader, Chou En Lai, and has been rewritten in multiple forms by authors unknown. As the story goes, there was once a farmer and his only son in the days just before the Civil War. Having only one horse, the farmer and son worked long hard days, sun up to sun…

Christmas eve has arrived! It’s hard to believe that Christmas 2015 is upon us and 2016 is just around the corner. As the team at X5 Management reflects on the past year, we are taking the time to think about all of the things we are grateful for in 2015.  We are especially grateful to…

I am blessed to call Bruce Kirkland, Dealer Principal at Lexus of Edmonton, a friend. I am in awe of his community support and how he continually instils excellence in his team by delivering Remarkable Service to Lexus of Edmonton’s valued customers (a.k.a. guests). During an interview with X5 Management, Bruce shared his perspective on Customer Service…

In my previous X5 blog, I discussed five characteristics of success that contribute to the development of great sales teams. In this edition, I build upon each of those characteristics and discuss how you may apply those principles to your business and sales/service teams. 1. Hire Great People You need to know the skills you…

Do you take advantage of having advisory support or mentorship within your business or organization? Do your sales and service professionals have someone they can rely upon to support them through difficult challenges, while helping them to succeed? Mentors in sales and service programs can help guide individuals or employees throughout their personal and career…

Building a team is easy. All you do is hire people that you like, put them all into a group and the team will form. Or is it that simple? As a society, we have been inundated with sports highlights of the stars making a great shot, the great play, the ESPN or TSN play…

Unless you are heading for the PGA or LPGA, you likely golf for fun. Perhaps you take some lessons, or shoot a bucket of balls and chip and putt before a round. Most of us will at least do this to “try” and improve our game. Did you know that some Golf College students average…

The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! When you mention the idea of training or professional development to your team, how do they react to this? Does your team recognize…

X5 Management colleague Mike Mack and I had an opportunity to sit down with a prospective client last week. He was speaking about some of the challenges that his sales people were facing in an ever more competitive world. As the business owner, he had absolutely no trouble asking questions and then listening to the answers,…

With today’s economic uncertainty, training and professional development is more important than ever. Many companies are taking this valuable opportunity to develop their workforce so they can develop soft skills and in turn increase sales and retain their customers with remarkable service. Of course cost can be a barrier for employers – but did you…

As the end of October approaches and the weather changes, businesses are gearing up for a strong finish to 2015 and may already be preparing plans for the coming year. How does your organization approach planning involving your sales and customer service teams? Do you have a strategy to approach important topics involving customer needs…

What is the fuel that drives your sales team? Did you ever ask them? Perhaps it’s money, success, recognition, or satisfying their customers. Whatever drives them, it is a big factor in their ongoing momentum. Best-selling author and speaker, Darren Hardy talks about “momentum” in his book, The Compound Effect. He likes to call it BIG…

Have you ever purchased an item on sale? Usually sales items are “final sales”, which means you can’t return the item. We usually can live with this because we saved money or felt that we received a great deal. What if you buy something and have an issue, but discover it was a final sale?…

September in Alberta marks the changing of the seasons and renewed focus for many businesses after the summer vacation season has ended. September in our province also marks the beginning of harvest season for many farm and grain producers throughout the province. Being involved in many harvests at my own family farm, I have become…

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